UK-Russia bid to find common ground

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Speaking as he became the first British foreign secretary to visit Moscow for five years, Mr Miliband welcomed increasing "common ground" between the two countries.

But he said the Government would not "paper over" differences as it seeks to thaw relations.

"The cultural and business links that are growing, I think, are testimony to the importance of the UK-Russia relationship," Mr Miliband told a press conference.

"That is reflected now at governmental level - not just on issues of the economy and foreign policy, but also on energy, climate change and other issues."

He continued: "We don't paper over our differences but we don't allow them to block co-operation".

Mr Miliband branded the 2006 murder in London of former Russian spy Litvinenko "horrific".

Moscow has refused requests to extradite Scotland Yard's chief suspect, Andrei Lugovoi, sparking tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions.

Mr Miliband said: "We can continue to be absolutely open about the importance that we attach to (these issues) and we don't trade them off. Instead, we say there are other areas where there is more common ground and we are determined to work together."

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said their talks had been "positive and productive", but insisted the Russian constitution forbade extradition of its citizens. He added: "The demands that we basically change our constitution are absolutely unrealistic."